Hong Kong 1967 Leftist Riots. (From Wikipedia)
The Hong Kong 1967 riots began in May 1967. It was caused by pro-communist leftists in Hong Kong, inspired by the Cultural Revolution in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), who turned a labour dispute into large scale demonstrations against British colonial rule. Demonstrators clashed violently with the Hong Kong Police Force. Instigated by events in the PRC, leftists called for massive strikes and organized demonstrations, while the police stormed many of the leftists’ strongholds and placed their active leaders under arrest. These riots became still more violent when the leftists resorted to terrorist attacks, planting fake and real bombs in the city and murdering some members of the press who voiced their opposition to the violence.
The height of the violence
On 8 July, hundreds of armed militia from the PRC fired at the Hong Kong Police at Sha Tau Kok. Five policemen were killed in the brief exchange of fire. The People’s Daily in Beijing ran editorials supporting the leftist struggle in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Government imposed emergency regulations, granting the police special powers in attempt to quell the unrest. many leftists leaders were arrested, detained, and some of were later deported to the PRC.
The leftists retaliated by planting more bombs. Real bombs, mixed with even more decoys, were planted throughout the city. Normal life was severely disrupted and casualties began to rise.
A seven-year-old girl and her two-year-old brother were killed by a bomb wrapped like a gift placed outside their residence. Ammunition Technician & Bomb disposal expert Sgt David Honey of the Royal Army Ordnance Corp, was sent from Singapore to replace Sgt Charlie Workman who had been killed by a terrorist device. Sgt Honey and others on the EOD Team worked with the police and helped defused many of the thousands of home-made explosive devices. Statistics rated 1 in every 8 bombs was genuine.
On 19 July, leftists set up barbed wire defences on the 20-storey Bank of China building (owned by the PRC government).[6]
In response the police fought back and raided leftists strongholds. In one of the raids, helicopters from HMS Hermes - a Royal Navy carrier landed police on the roof of Kiu Kwan Mansion. Upon entering the building the police discovered bombs and weapons as well as a leftist hospital complete with dispensary and an operating theatre.